An intense week for Arsenal has ended on a high note. As it did for Manchester City.

Victories for the title challengers mean just TWO points separate the pair and leaders Liverpool. The title race is rocking.

You can watch how today's Premier League matches panned out right now by tuning into Match of the Day.

Flick over to BBC One or click this link to watch online. No Saturday is compete without it, right?

And finally... don't forget to join us tomorrow when Liverpool and Chelsea battle it out for the first piece of major silverware of the season in the EFL Cup final.

See you then!

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to TNT Sports: "Everything was good. The way we started, the aggression, the positivity that we showed in our play from the beginning, the team did not want to stop. They kept going for goals. Today the atmosphere was phenomenal to play against a really really good opponent so I'm really pleased.

On Jorginho: "Jorginho was really good, we thought it was a game for him and we know that he is a fantastic player."

"I like all of the goals, the ones that are more scrappy and maybe don't go on YouTube but are as effective. We are scoring in different ways and that is something really positive as well for the team."

On the centre-back duo of William Saliba and Gabriel: "They have been really good but we still have to improve."

"We have a few days now to reflect because we play again on Monday, we go again. It has been a very intense week and that is a very positive way to end it."

Almost time for us to wrap up for the night. Last word goes to Mikel Arteta...

Martin Keown
Former England defender on TNT Sports

Newcastle looked a pale reflection of themselves from last season.

That FA Cup game [against Blackburn Rovers] is massive for them to rescue their season.

Newcastle United

Image source, Getty Images

More from Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, this time speaking to Match of the Day: "They played well, we played poorly. We're very honest with ourselves, the first 45 minutes was not good enough.

"We were second best and didn't react well under pressure. Sometimes you go away and you're under pressure but we had to be stronger, withstand the pressure and it led to a disappointing 45 minutes.

"We can't take too many positives from today. From 45 to when they scored their third goal, we were good and the better team but the goal kills the game.

"If we scored the next goal we're back in the game and anything can happen.

"But we didn't we and conceding the third summed up our recent weeks - we haven't been good enough defensively."

Arsenal

More from Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard, speaking to TNT Sports, on his side competing for the Premier League title race: "We are living the dream, we have all dreamed of being here. You see every week how competitive it is and that is where we want to be - we want to fight for trophies."

On being captain: "I try to lead by example and do the right things I am always pushing the players around me. I understand that every player is different, but I still try to get the best out of everyone."

On last season mistakes: "The year before we missed Champions League and comeback stronger. Last season we missed a title and now is the time to show we have learned - every time we play we are so excited."

Arsenal

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, speaking to TNT Sports: "It gave us the extra motivation today [losing to Porto midweek] also what happened against Newcastle last time [1-0 loss at St. James Park] gave us that extra motivation.

"We just wanted to come here and make a good game and give the fans a good game."

On tactical changes: "We tried to do a lot of the same things, they [Porto] defended well and it was not our best game offensively.

"Today we were so aggressive, Jorginho and Declan Rice were good at threading between the lines - that was the difference.

"We want to play in the final third and create things all the time.

"We have been playing a few different ways and I have been dropping a bit more and Jorginho and Declan have done that today - I played a little higher up."

Arsenal

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I'm really happy with the performance against a Newcastle team who are really really good. The boys were really good, really aggressive and we deserved to win the game.

"They [Newcastle] have a lot of resources to create issues but we continued in the same way, we maintained our rhythm and it was a joy to watch the team play.

"We are really happy, we have to continue to do the things that we are doing well. There are still things that we can do better and we are bringing big players back from injury so that is a big boost.

"Against Porto we were ourselves with the ball but not without the ball. It was a big lesson and you learn a lot from those moments."

A rather different tone from Mikel Arteta in his post-match interviews, as you can imagine. Here's what the smiling Arsenal gaffer has to say...

Newcastle United

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, speaking to TNT Sports: "In the first half we weren't ourselves. The second half was much better until the third goal which knocked us.

"Arsenal were very good, we weren't and we got punished. We were off in most aspects of our games, we didn't do the basics right.

"Arsenal put us under pressure and we made technical mistakes. Sometimes you have those spells, you have to weather them, but unfortunately we didn't do that.

"We started the second half really well and chances to get a goal which would have been crucial.

"I need to see it again before I make rash statements - but we were not where we needed to be, whether that was psychological or technical. We just weren't there."

Eddie Howe looked and sounded as glum as you'd imagine after that performance.

The Newcastle boss keeps his assessment very succinct for the time being - "Arsenal were very good, we weren't" - but there will be a deeper inquest behind closed doors.

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on TNT Sports

Nobody is asking where the number nine is and that happens when the team is functioning and scoring.

Arsenal have become a very efficient team and unit right now.

Martin Keown
Former England defender on TNT Sports

This is second time round now in a title race [for Arsenal] and it looks to me like there is more of an energy and a fight.

Fear creeped in a little bit [last season], but this is different now.

ICYMI, the context to the world-class chat is former Manchester United and England captain Rio Ferdinand saying he did not think Bukayo Saka was quite at that level yet.

Predictably his comments wound up Arsenal fans - perhaps that was the idea.

But you could understand Ferdinand's methodology as he expanded on his thoughts, saying he thinks a player has to be shining in the Champions League, season in and season out, before being heralded as world class.

Saka has not yet had that opportunity with Arsenal only back in the Champions League this season after missing out since 2017.

Arsenal

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal and England attacker Bukayo Saka, speaking to TNT Sports.

On being world class: "No comment. I am happy with another goal today and more importantly happy to win.

"I am working hard every day and giving my best. Obviously I have great teammates giving me good passes which helps as well.

"We have been working hard and there is a lot of quality going forward and it is starting to click now - we just need to continue with this [form]."

Arsenal

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal forward Kai Havertz, speaking to TNT Sports: "I think it was very important [to win] it was a tough game on Wednesday and we wanted to win today - we did well today."

On Jorginho: "I know him a lot, so for me it is nice to play with him he knows me well. It makes life easy for me - he is a world class player."

On the atmosphere: "It's always nice to play here [Emirates]. The fans give us so much energy that so important for us - it gives us a big boost.

"Crucial to win games and we have to put pressure on [Liverpool and Man City] and that is what we will do."

Let's get some instant reaction from a very happy Arsenal camp...